After playing catch from 120 feet, Bailey -- who is rebounding from a strained rib muscle -- threw all of his pitches in the bullpen.

Afterward, Bailey told MLB.com he "dominated."

"No hits allowed," he said with a smile, according to MLB's Jane Lee.

The irony, of course, is that there were no batters.

Lee writes:

That's good news for the A's, who hope to have their closer back on the
upcoming seven-game homestand against Toronto and Tampa Bay that begins
Monday. If Bailey experiences no ill effects from Sunday's session, he
said he'd likely throw one more bullpen before potentially pitching in a
simulated game and being activated thereafter.

Bailey, who took over the closer role in Oakland last season, made his second straight American League All Star team this season. He has not allowed a run in 13 of his past 15 appearances, but he has not pitched in a game since July 20.

Still, his manager sounds upbeat:

"He needs a couple more times off the mound," Geren said. "But, today,
obviously was a big step. Him throwing off the mound at that kind of
effort level, that's a real positive step. We're optimistic based on how he feels right now."